The 350th anniversary of the Battle of the Medway starts tomorrow.

Concerto

Concerto

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The start of busy celebrations start on Thursday 8 June. Look at the links for more information.

http://www.visitmedway.org/events/223817/?key=battle-of-medway-2017
http://thedockyard.co.uk/plan-your-visit/bom/
http://new.medway.gov.uk/news-and-events/bom
https://en-gb.facebook.com/events/383957438624734/
https://www.visitkent.co.uk/see-and-do/inspirational-ideas/battle-of-medway-2017/
http://msba.org.uk/?p=3689

Today the 2 naval vessels docked in Basin 2 of Chatham Docks (next to the marina). After working on my boat in the boatyard during the day, I walked over to look at the ships. There is the Dutch vessel "Holland" and HMS Richmond. Through the railings alongside the Richmond, I started chatting with a man in a T shirt and shorts. He said it was interesting coming up the Channel yesterday and crossing the shipping separation lanes. Then coming up the Medway was fairly easy with sufficient depth in the buoyed channel. Then some ratings passed and said "Sir", so I asked if he was an officer. Well I wastalking to the captain. Chatted with him for about a quarter of an hour about his ship, so it made my day.
 
Looking at the number of Dutch boats showing up on AIS recently, I did wonder if they were coming to have another go. :)
 
DanTribe said:
Looking at the number of Dutch boats showing up on AIS recently, I did wonder if they were coming to have another go. :)
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Not so much a battle but an horrendous drubbing, so I'm amused by how we are all getting so excited at such a calamitous defeat and even 'celebrating' the occasion.

However, I'm no killjoy and always up for a bit of fun, so I too am looking forward to joining the shenanigans
 
Can see "Holland" out of the back bedroom window....off for a closer look.

Looking on the event website the map showing the official viewing area for Fireworks finale on Sat 17th seems to show it running along the riverside walk on the north side of St Mary's Island, over the Chatham Marina lock and then along the Car Parks of the marina and the brewery in the old pump house building. Also worth noting that signage is up saying that Dock Road and Leviathan Way (access road to Chatham Marina) closed to vehicles on Saturday 17.6.17 and that the river itself will be closed to boats during the fireworks.
 
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Plenty of Netherlands ensigns fluttering in the breeze at Chatham Marina here tonight and some gorgeous traditional craft alongside.

MDL team say car park is available for berth holders as usual on 17th - not being used for a public viewing area. So access by river and road as normal on Friday and Sunday. Both closed Saturday 17th 08.00 until midnight.
 
Yesterday I took some time out to watch the Dutch boats approach in convoy for the salute from Upnor Castle. The arrival of a Catalina flying boat was unexpected and made a number of fly pasts. The number of boats waiting for the marina lock was fun watching their positioning, the last took over an hour and a half to enter. Never seen so many waiting.
 
A quick note to follow up my earlier post.

A fellow HNYC club member and I, during our night security patrols of the river, were invited aboard the MV/SS George Stephenson earlier this week.

What a fantastic ship- there is so much equipment of historic importance to be amazed by, not least that the vessel has two engine rooms (steam compound and diesel) hence the MV/SS prefix, above.

There is simply not the space here to comment on all you would be overawed by, so you really must try to find the time to make a visit, you will certainly be welcomed aboard.
 
Gin said:
A quick note to follow up my earlier post.

A fellow HNYC club member and I, during our night security patrols of the river, were invited aboard the MV/SS George Stephenson earlier this week.

What a fantastic ship- there is so much equipment of historic importance to be amazed by, not least that the vessel has two engine rooms (steam compound and diesel) hence the MV/SS prefix, above.

There is simply not the space here to comment on all you would be overawed by, so you really must try to find the time to make a visit, you will certainly be welcomed aboard.
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I have been aboard twice, She is a floating history of British engineering




 
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RivalRedwing said:
Bit of a storm brewing on this one, Medway Council allegedly skimmed £60k from the children's budget (by closing some SureStart centres) to fund the fireworks.... We will not be going...
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Plus the RN withdrawing its frigate after the briefest visit to Chatham, is another disappointment
 
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